Macairea chimantensis Wurdack

  • Authority

    Maguire, Bassett & Wurdack, John J. 1964. The botany of the Guayana Highland--Part V. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 10: 1-278.

  • Family

    Melastomataceae

  • Scientific Name

    Macairea chimantensis Wurdack

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - M. asperae N. E. Brown affinis sed ramorum et venulorum primariorum foliorum subtus pilis i.s. pallidis et floribus minoribus. Arbor parva 0.3-0.7 m alta cum ramulis foliis subtus hypanthiisque modice aureo-glandulosis; rami foliorum subtus venis primariis inflorescentiisque dense strigulosi vel breviter strigosi pilis basi robustis. Petioli 0.8-1.5 cm; lamina 3.5-6 X 1.5-3 cm oblongo-elliptica apice hebeti-obtusa vel rotundata basi late acuta crasse rigideque coriacea, supra modice tuberculato-aspera, subtus in superficie densissime setulosa (setulis ca. 0.2 mm longis), trinervata nervis primariis lateralibus submarginalibus nervis secundariis supra impressis subtus leviter elevatis ca. 2-2.5 mm inter se distantibus, marginibus incurvatis integris. Panicula 5-9 cm longa multiflora; flores breviter (ad 2 mm) pedicellati. Hypanthium 2 mm longum modice longo-strigulosum; calycis tubus 0.3 mm altus, lobis 1.5-1.8 mm longis triangularibus vel oblongo-triangularibus acutis. Petala 9-10 X 7-7.5 mm obovata apice late obtusa vel rotundata ciliolata. Stamina subtiliter dimorphica; filamenta 4-5 mm longa apicem versus modice glandulosose-tulosa; antherarum thecae 2-2.2 mm longae non vel vix attenuatae, connectivo 0.5-0.7 mm prolongato basi in appendice cordiformi 0.5 X 0.7 mm expanso. Stylus 7.5 X 0.5 mm basim extremum versus sparse glanduloso-setulosus; ovarium 4-loculare densissime cum glandulis sessilibus obsitum et apicem extremum versus glanduloso-setulosum. Capsula 4-valvata; semina ca. 0.8 X 0.4 mm vix foveolata.

  • Discussion

    Type. Petals pinkish white, filaments and connective bronze, anthers yellow, frequent in lower part of lower northwest cumbre, Churi-tepui (Muru-tepui), Chimanta Massif, Edo. Bolivar, Venezuela, alt. 2100-2200 m, 24 Jan 1953, John J. Wurdack 34177 (holotype US 2342486). Paratypes. VENEZUELA, Edo. Bolivar. Chimanta Massif: Churi-tepui, alt. 2250-2300 m, Wurdack 34208; Central Section, alt. 1900 m, Steyermark & Wurdack 568; Abacapa-tepui, alt. 1800-2000 m, Steyermark 74855; Apacara-tepui, Cardona 1555; Acopan-tepui, alt. 2100 m, Cardona 2302. Uaipan-tepui: alt. 1900 m, Cardona 2065. Auyantepui: alt. 2100-2200 m, Tate 1148, Cardona 2652.

    M. aspera has rufous hairs on the lower leaf surfaces, young stems, and inflorescence, as well as sepals 3-5 mm long and anthers 3-4 mm long.